Frequently Asked Questions

Credits And Savings

To earn the full value of my Frequent Traveler Credits, do I need to reserve by or travel by the expiration date?

You must travel by the date specified on your Frequent Traveler Credit statement to receive the full value of your Frequent Traveler Credits. This expiration date cannot be extended. You can view your credit expiration dates and Terms & Conditions for all types of credits and certificates when you visit My Account.

How do I earn my 10% savings with the Good Buy Plan?

We calculate your Good Buy Plan savings based on the date you pay in full and the date of your departure. (Unless otherwise stated, final payments are due 90 days prior to departure.) Essentially, the earlier you pay in full—and by check or electronic funds transfer only—the more you’ll save on the cost of your trip. To earn the maximum 10% savings, you must pay in full one calendar year prior to your departure date.

How does the Good Buy Plan guarantee the price of my trip?

To take advantage of our Good Buy Plan, you must pay for your trip in full—and by check or electronic funds transfer only—before the final payment due date listed on your invoice. Once we’ve received your payment, your trip price is locked in; we will not charge you any additional fees, even if our costs go up unexpectedly.

Do you require a supplement for single travelers?

On all land vacations and select River Cruises, we offer free Single Supplements. (Space is limited and subject to availability.) On vacations where we must charge a Single Supplement, our supplements are the lowest in the industry because they're priced at our cost. You can also request our free Roommate Matching Service. Request a roommate of the same gender, and your Single Supplement is free—even if we're unable to find you a match.

I’m traveling solo, but I’d prefer to share a room. Can you find me a roommate?

On most vacations, you can take advantage of our free Roommate Matching Service. Request a roommate of the same gender when you make your reservation, and if we’re unable to find you a match, your Single Supplement will be free. You can also take advantage of our Travel Companions service—an online community where you can find like-minded travelers to connect with.

Do I receive a benefit if I refer new travelers to Grand Circle?

Yes. When you refer new travelers, you become a Vacation Ambassador and earn rewards in cash or credit for each referral, ranging from $100 to a total of $5,900 for referring eight new travelers—plus more for every additional referral. Read more about our Vacation Ambassador program.

Do you offer senior citizen discounts?

Grand Circle does not offer a senior citizen discount, however the value included in all of our programs is comparable to the senior rates you'd receive with other companies. Our buying power allows us to secure the best rates available for airfares, trains, hotels, and sightseeing. And because we sell directly to you, there's no middleman to increase the cost. We pass our savings on to you.

Will you reward me for bringing a group of travelers with me on my trip?

If you bring a group of travelers, you could travel FREE! Assemble a group of 10 or more paying travelers on any Grand Circle River Cruise, or a group of 8 or more travelers on a Grand Circle Land vacation, and you can earn free travel. This offer cannot be combined with our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program. Learn more about our Group Travel program.

How do I apply Frequent Traveler Credits and Vacation Ambassador Credits?

If you have a current reservation, visit My Account to see your available credits and apply them online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also call our Customer Service department and ask our Travel Counselors to apply them for you. If you have credits available, but you haven’t yet booked a trip, simply ask your Travel Counselor to apply your credits when you make your new reservation. Credits are not applicable to your initial deposit and are non-transferable. Expiration dates cannot be extended. Visit My Account and see “My Travel Credits” to learn more.

I have two reservations. When can I apply the Frequent Traveler Credit to be earned on the first trip to the balance on the second trip?

You can apply your Frequent Traveler Credit to your second reservation at any time, even if you have not yet departed on your first trip. If you cancel your first trip, the credit will be voided, and you will be responsible for the balance due on your second reservation.

Where can I find the current value of my Frequent Traveler or Vacation Ambassador credits?

To view the current value of any credits in your name, visit My Account and click “My Travel Credits.”

Privately Owned Fleet

Our worldwide fleet of private river ships—many of which are award-winning—was custom-built especially to meet the needs of our travelers. Whether you’re in Europe or Russia, you’ll travel exclusively with other Americans—for the ultimate in camaraderie.

Our Private Charters

Program Directors

No matter where in the world you venture with Grand Circle, you'll have one of our resident, expert Program Directors by your side, every step of the way. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching vacation.

Africa Land Tour featured video:

Behold the natural wonders of South Africa—from “Big Five” sightings in Kruger National Park to the serene, flower-ringed Knysna Lagoon. Watch our video to see travelers enjoying some of the discoveries that await you.

Reserve Early and SAVE

Refer and Earn

You can earn $5,900 or more in CASH when you refer new travelers to 2015 trips through our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program. The more new travelers you refer, the more CASH you earn—it’s unlimited! Watch our video to learn how.

The Leader in Solo Friendly Travel

With FREE Single Supplements, we offer the best value for solo travelers in the industry, guaranteed. Plus, our expert, resident Program Directors, Roommate Matching Service, and online forums help you make personal connections. Watch our video to see why solo travel is better with Grand Circle.

Frequent Traveler Credits

Every time you travel with Grand Circle and OAT, you'll receive a Frequent Traveler Credit worth 5% of the advertised cost of your trip, applicable toward your next Grand Circle or OAT vacation you take within one year.

Group Leader Program

At Grand Circle, we strongly believe that word of mouth is our best advertisement. And it works. Just ask the more than 500 Group Leaders who have chosen a Grand Circle trip for their travelers this year—and traveled FREE! Watch our video to learn how.

Travel Protection Plan

Watch our video to learn about the benefits of our Travel Protection Plan. You can cancel your Grand Circle vacation at any time—up to the day of your departure, and for any reason—and retain the FULL value of your trip, including your deposit.

Last Minute Travel Deals

Act now for terrific savings on last-minute departures, available only on our website. Our Last Minute Travel Deals are updated frequently, so be sure to check back often! Space is very limited—and at these prices, will sell out quickly—so sign in for exclusive access to our Last Minute Special Travel Deals

Travel Parties

Earn rewards up to a FREE TRIP when you host a Travel Party. A Grand Circle Representative will share a vacation presentation, a raffle, and exclusive savings for your guests. For each new traveler who reserves after your party, you’ll earn increasing rewards, valued up to $5,800.

Worldwide Discovery

Traveling with Grand Circle is about more than sightseeing. It’s about immersing yourself in other cultures, sharing the warm camaraderie of like-minded American travelers, and feeling comfortable, safe, and well-cared for every step of the way....

Grand Circle Advantages

Grand Circle invites you to travel with the leader in worldwide learning and discovery and bring your travel dreams to life, thanks to the principles that ground every one of our vacations: value, choice, discovery, and careful pacing.

The Grand Circle Experience

Watch our video of travelers on location on our River Cruises and Land Tours, and you’ll see the discoveries that await you—not to mention the spirited camaraderie of our trips, a quality that singles and couples alike often cite as a highlight of their travel experience.

Program Directors

No matter where in the world you venture with Grand Circle, you'll have one of our resident, expert Program Directors by your side, every step of the way. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching vacation.

Personalize your trip

Airport Transfers

We’ve listened to your feedback, and will now offer international airport transfers to and from your hotel to our travelers who choose to purchase their own airfare on any Grand Circle vacation as part of our Personalize Your Trip program, which allows you create the Grand Circle vacation that's right for you.

Inner Circle Club

Many Grand Circle travelers return to discover the world with us time and time again, and to show our appreciation, we've created the Inner Circle, a membership rewards program for travelers who've joined us on three or more vacations.

People and Culture

Grand Circle Foundation

Alan and Harriet Lewis created the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation with the mission of changing people’s lives through travel—which includes both the travelers who journey with OAT, and the local people who welcome us so warmly into their homelands.

Cuba People-to-People

Grand Circle Foundation is one of the few organizations sanctioned by the U.S. government to offer legal, fully-licensed travel to Cuba. By limiting our group size to just 12-20 participants on each of our two unique programs, we’re able to provide you with rich insights into Cuban life.

Facebook

Learn more about our Facebook online community, a place where you can stay connected with Grand Circle and your fellow travelers. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get advice, find travel companions, learn what’s new at Grand Circle, share your photos, videos, and stories, and more.

Traveler Celebration Events

Our regional Traveler Celebration Events are opportunities for you to meet other world travelers who share your passion for learning and discovery, swap travel stories, and give us feedback on how we can to make your experience even better—plus, you’ll be one of the first to preview upcoming trips.

Want to get to know us?

Join us for a free and informative Travel Presentation & Reception in your area EXCLUSIVELY for new customers, and discover why—with Grand Circle & Overseas Adventure Travel—your next trip will be the experience of a lifetime. At this event and luncheon, you will learn what sets our travel company apart from the rest.

Upcoming Events in Boston

If you live in or around Greater Boston, or plan to visit the area in the future, I hope you’ll consider joining Grand Circle in Harriet’s Corner—the special space in our Boston headquarters that serves as a physical embodiment of the “virtual” community we share online.

Grand Circle Gallery

Grand Circle Gallery in Boston invites you to view our extensive collection of vintage travel posters and breathtaking black-and-white photography from Alan and Harriet Lewis’ private collection, as well as special exhibits on other travel-related themes.

Any questions? Schedule a call with our expert Travel Counselors at a time that’s convenient for you. Fill out the form to the right, and we’ll call you to:

Find your best possible value

Compare travel dates based on weather, pricing, and more

Coordinate plans with friends or family

Check the availability of single spaces and extensions

Answer any other questions

Or, make your reservation

Our Travel Counselors are ready to answer any questions you have about your reservation—simply complete the form to the right to get started. A member of our Traveler Support Department will contact you by your preferred method to answer your questions, which may include: